Airbus expects to begin assembling a key subsection for the first A350 this month as it strives to keep on the programme's revised schedule and achieve a first flight in mid-2012.rnUnder the adjusted plan revealed in April, construction of the centre wingbox for A350 number one was scheduled to begin around mid-year at Airbus's plant in Nantes.rnThis was three months later than originally planned after Airbus decided to use some margin to fine-tune the design of the fuselage structure. However, a manufacturing issue with metallic parts has delayed the start of assembly slightly further, with it now to begin in August, says A350 programme chief Didier Evrard.
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